NEW YORK — Third baseman Bryan Ramos landed on the injured list with a strained left quadriceps Friday, and the White Sox returned infielder Danny Mendick from the injured list.
The Sox also called up outfielder Corey Julks, acquired in a trade with the Astros on Wednesday, from Triple-A Charlotte and started him in right field against Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes.
Infielder Braden Shewmake, who was struggling with a .125 batting average, was optioned to Charlotte. Mendick started at third base.
Ramos, 22, injured his quad running from first to third in the Sox’ loss to the Nationals in the first game of a doubleheader Tuesday. He was making a nice showing in his major-league debut, hitting .281/.294/.344 with two doubles, two RBI and four runs and playing sound defense in 10 games after getting called up from Double-A Birmingham.
Manager Pedro Grifol said Ramos is at about 70%.
‘‘I would say it’s pretty good; it’s getting there,” Ramos said. “Hopefully I’m going back pretty soon.”
It remains to be seen whether Ramos will go to Charlotte for an extended time when healthy or continue his development with the Sox.
“At this point, the only thing I want to do is keep playing the game,” Ramos said. “Now I’m in this position. This is the game; you never know what’s going to happen. [Stuff] happens.”
Julks steps right up
Julks, who was designated for assignment by the Astros and acquired for minor-league pitcher Luis Rodriguez, spent most of 2023 with Houston, batting .245 with 14 doubles, six homers and 15 steals in 93 games.
Four of his six homers came against former All-Stars, including right-handers Shohei Ohtani and Corbin Burnes.
“Those were definitely special moments last year,” Julks said. “Trying to do more this year.”
Julks was hitting .269/.361/.446 with eight doubles, five home runs, 15 RBI, 26 runs, 20 walks and six stolen bases in 33 games between Triple-A Sugarland and Charlotte.
He struck out leading off the second.
“I was blessed and thankful for the new opportunity,” Julks said. “I’m still working on things. I’m showing up every day ready to go and making sure the body is good, the mind is good and go play hard and have fun.”
Robert update
Luis Robert Jr., whom the Sox were hoping to see in game action at the team’s complex in Glendale, Arizona, this weekend, was at 80% as he works his way back from a strained hip flexor and not quite ready.
“There was some hope that he would get in some games at the end of this week,” Grifol said, “but we’re not going to push it. We’ll try to get him in some games at the beginning of next week.”
Leone ready
Right-hander Dominic Leone (back) threw his second live batting practice at Yankee Stadium and is ready to return to the bullpen. He can come off the 15-day injured list Monday, when the Sox open a series in Toronto.
“Ball is coming out of his hand nice, and he’s available for us Monday, so we’ll see what the corresponding move will be,” Grifol said.
This and that
Rafael Ortega cleared waivers and accepted his assignment to Charlotte.
† Steve Stone has the road series off and is being replaced by Gordon Beckham in the broadcast booth.
